The Folger Consort at the Folger Shakespeare Library is one of the more esoteric musical events in the city. Founded in 1977, it offers a discovery of music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods performed on the Elizabethan Theatre stage of the library.

The relatively unknown music is often performed by artists playing unusual period instruments supporting the voices of international guest artists.

The highlight of the consort series is the annual holiday concert, this year with eight performances (December 18 through 23) at the Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill. It will combine Baroque composer Giovanni Antonio Guido’s “Four Seasons” with Christmas music for soprano and strings by Marc-Antoine Charpentier.

The Folger Consort attempts to deepen audiences’ understanding and appreciation of early music through seminars, discussions, recordings and collaborations with other programs of the Folger Shakespeare Library. The Folger Consort has been named the Best Classical Chamber Ensemble by the Washington Area Music Awards for the last five years.